Cardinals Recall Lane Thomas; Option Oviedo and Flores Jr.

CARDINALS RECALL OUTFIELDER LANE THOMAS; OVIEDO OPTIONED TO MEMPHIS (AAA) FLORES, Jr. RETURNED

ST. LOUIS, Mo., May 6, 2021 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to today’s series finale against the New York Mets that they have recalled outfielder Lane Thomas from Memphis (AAA). The team also announced that right-handed pitcher Johan Oviedo was optioned to Memphis, and left-handed pitcher Bernardo Flores Jr., the 27^th player for yesterday’s double-header, was returned to Memphis.

The right-handed hitting Thomas appeared in four games for the Cardinals in April, going 2-for-9. He had two hits, including a double and triple, while playing in the first two games of the season for Memphis this week.

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What does this mean? Probably little in the long term. Thomas needs to prove he’s ready; he struggled offensively and defensively before his demotion. He was 2 for 7 with a double, a triple, 2 runs and an RBI, but also had 5 strikeouts.

Oviedo could get back up to the majors when another starter it needed, but he really needs more time at Memphis before he’s really ready. Flores was just depth for the doubleheader and will probably be on the St. Louis/Memphis shuttle going forward.